Food & Nutrition Associate

Emory•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Food & Nutrition Associate prepares, portions, and serves food for patients on general and modified diets, as well as for retail food service and catering. The role supports meal assembly, food service station setup, food distribution, and customer service while maintaining food safety, sanitation, and infection control standards. It also helps keep work areas clean and organized in support of Food and Nutrition Services operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
One year of food service experience preferred.
Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
Demonstrated customer service, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to make sound judgments while processing information quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Basic computer skills, including logging in and out of workstations, checking email, and completing online employee training modules.
Ability to meet the physical demands described: lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying objects up to 25 pounds, and standing, walking, and sitting as required.
Ability to work in environments that may involve exposure to blood-borne pathogens, biohazardous waste, chemicals, gases, fumes, vapors, communicable diseases, electrical shock, varied floor surfaces and temperatures, indoor and outdoor conditions, latex, lighting, patient-care or handling injuries, radiation, and shift work; travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, may be required depending on work area and tasks.

Responsibilities

Prepare, portion, and serve food for patient meals, retail service, and catering operations.
Set up meal service stations and maintain appropriate food presentation and portion control.
Assemble and serve meals according to selected menus and dietary guidelines.
Assist with patient tray assembly and food distribution.
Follow food safety, sanitation, and infection control policies and procedures; perform hand hygiene and use protective equipment as required.
Take and record temperatures of food and food service equipment according to department procedures.
Use FIFO protocols for food storage and rotation; label and date food items appropriately.
Load, operate, and unload commercial dishwashing equipment; wash dishes, flatware, and serving utensils according to sanitation standards.
Operate selected food production or service equipment and, when needed, a cash register for retail payments.
Receive deliveries and store food items and supplies appropriately.
Requisition or retrieve ingredients according to menu or recipe requirements.
Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation areas and equipment; organize work areas throughout the shift.
Mop floors; wash tables, counters, walls, and kitchen surfaces; empty and clean trash containers; remove waste.
Transport food carts to patient care units and other hospital locations, and deliver food according to department procedures.
Report concerns about food quality, service issues, or patient and customer feedback.
Communicate recommendations for service improvements to supervisors.
May receive training to assist with basic cooking or baking tasks.
Perform other duties as assigned to support department operations.